5 Questions to Ask Your Criminal Lawyer
Almost everyone needs the help of a criminal defense attorney at one time or another. Whether it’s for themselves, family or friends, when the time comes it’s important to have the right man for the job. Here are five questions to ask your criminal defense lawyer to make sure he is the right lawyer for you.
1. How successful has handling cases like mine been before?
Every potential client should consider whether or not their criminal attorney has handled similar cases before. If the criminal attorney has never handled a DUI before, for example, they may not be aware of important deadlines, relevant law, and important facts to consider when preparing your defense. Alternatively, an attorney with substantial experience handling your type of case may be more appropriate to handle your pending matter.
2. How much is this going to cost me?
You need to know the final cost on any large purchase. Hiring a criminal defense attorney is no different. You should want to know if hiring a lawyer will cost you 2K or 10K. Also, are you going to be able to afford your lawyer? If you cannot pay your lawyer, he may withdraw from your case and you will have to start from scratch. Nobody wants to do that when their life is on the line.
3. What are your credentials?
Most lawyers learn to speak a big game. But do they have the training and experience to back it up? If you are looking for a criminal trial attorney in the market, you probably want to know that your criminal attorney has tried many cases before, attended a well-known trial school, etc. Past performance is an indicator of future performance. Knowing your lawyer’s credentials will help you make an informed decision.
4. What are the maximum penalties I can receive?
Different charges carry different penalties. For example, most people are surprised to learn that a DUI can get them up to a year in jail. Similarly, a third degree felony can get you 5 years in prison. Ask your lawyer what the possible consequences are so that you are prepared to make an informed decision about how to proceed with your case.
5. How many tests have you done?
You may not want your case to ever make it to the courtroom. You may want to come up with the best design possible. However, you still want to have a trial attorney prepare your case and negotiate on your behalf. This is because a State’s Attorney is more likely to work out a beneficial disposition with a trial attorney who they believe could take the case to trial. If the State’s Attorney knows that the criminal lawyer will not take you to trial, the criminal lawyer has no bargaining leverage with the State.
